The Ultimate Guide to Rueben Sandwich Plus Beer
There’s nothing like a classic Reuben sandwich, with its succulent corned beef, sauerkraut and melted Swiss cheese between two slices of rye bread slathered in tangy Thousand Island dressing. Pair this mouthwatering sandwich with an ice cold beer and you have the perfect recipe for a delicious dinner celebration!
In this guide, we will explore the history of the Rueben sandwich, what goes into making it, how to make your own version at home and the best type of beer that pairs nicely with your new creation.
What is a Rueben Sandwich and Where Did It Come From?
The Rueben sandwich has been around since about 1914 when it was created by Reuben Kolakofsky at his restaurant in Omaha Nebraska. It quickly became popular due to its rich flavors brought together with hearty rye bread. The traditional Rueben includes corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing and rye bread; some variations also include mustard or ketchup.
How Do You Make the Perfect Rueben at Home (Hint: It’s All About the Sauce)?
Making a delicious homemade Rueben just takes a few simple steps starting with seven key ingredients: rye bread, deli-style corned beef (thinly sliced), Swiss cheese (sliced), sauerkraut (drained), Thousand Island dressing (or mix mayonnaise and ketchup), butter for frying and yellow mustard as an optional topping.
Start by lightly brushing both sides of your bread slices with butter then fill each slice with three pieces of thinly sliced corned beef per side.
Top with sauerkraut followed by slices of Swiss cheese before carefully “sandwiching” them together.
Grill your sandwiches on medium heat until both sides are golden brown then spread Thousand Island or Mayonnaise/Ketchup mix on one side before flipping onto other side to cook for another minute or so. Add yellow mustard if desired then remove from heat and dive right in!
What Beer Pairs Well With This Sandwich of Champions?
When it comes to pairing beer with a Reuben sandwich one can never go wrong opting for an American Pale Ale or American Lager; these styles offer earthy hop bitterness that accents this hearty meal as well as light malt sweetness that brings out its bold flavor notes. Other great options include wheat beers like Hefeweizens which provide refreshing lemony tartness perfect for cutting through all those savory ingredients; Belgian style beers such as Saisons also bring fruity esters that really brighten up the flavor profile too!
15 Tips for Making the Perfect Reuben Sandwich Plus Beer
Are you ready to take your Rueben sandwich experience to the next level? Whether you’re making it at home or ordering out, here are 15 tips that will guarantee you an amazing meal plus unbeatable beer pairings:
- Choose a quality corned beef: Thick cut slices of corned beef can add hearty texture and flavor to your Rueben sandwich. Look for 100% grass-fed, organic or locally sourced deli-style options for superior taste.
- Don’t skimp on the sauerkraut: Adding a generous layer of good quality sauerkraut is essential to achieve that classic tart flavor profile.
- Toast your rye bread: Unlike other sandwiches, you want to lightly toast your rye bread instead of grilled cheese style as this adds another level of flavor and texture.
- Make sure the Swiss cheese melts: Keeping your heat consistent while grilling is key when getting that melty Swiss cheese finish!
- Don’t forget Thousand Island dressing: What separates traditional Ruebens from other variations is its creamy Thousand Island dressing – don’t forget it!
- Add pickles if desired: So not technically part of the classic Rueben recipe, but some people like adding in pickles for that extra tangy kick – go with whatever floats your boat!
- Enjoy a beer pairing: For many, nothing quite beats enjoying a classic Rueben sandwich accompanied by an ice cold beer – try different styles of brews until you find one perfect for you.
- Host a Rueben party for friends and family: Have everyone bring their favorite ingredients and sauces then get cooking! This simple DIY setup makes for an unforgettable gathering (plus epic food photos) – just don’t forget the beers!
- Create ‘deconstructed’ versions: For something unusual, why not deconstruct all the ingredients and serve them open faced on top of Rye toast with Thousand Islands dressing? Consider topping with boiled eggs too – delicious!
- Visit local delis: Many cities have amazing delis specializing in fresh Reubens – great place to enjoy one made by professionals while taking in some local culture as well!
- Pack them up for lunch: Place cooled down sandwiches in tinfoil or reusable containers so they stay warm while traveling – perfect meal option during long days out and about!
- Get creative with sauces: Try out various dipping sauces such as ranch dressing, garlic-mayo mix, chipotle cream sauce etc… adventurous tastebuds rejoice!
- Cut into sliders: If too intimidated to make full sized sandwiches at home yet still wanting classic Ruebens flavors; cut two slices of rye bread into mini sliders then fill as described above before grilling away on both sides !
- Use leftovers wisely: You don’t have to throw away leftovers – consider adding them onto salads or soups for extra zing throughout the day !
- Share & savor every bite: The best way to truly appreciate any good food is by enjoying it with others; so invite friends over pay tribute to this classic
Frequently Asked Questions about Reuben Sandwiches
Reuben sandwiches are a classic American sandwich that has been enjoyed for generations. It’s the perfect combination of salty corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, creamy Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing between two slices of rye bread. Not only is it delicious on its own, but it’s even better when shared with friends over a refreshing beer! A Reuben sandwich and beer pairing can take your lunch or dinner to new heights. If you’re looking for some tips to make sure your sandwich is as delicious as possible or just want to find out what type of beer pairs best with a traditional Reuben, then look no further than our FAQ section below.
What ingredients are needed to make a Reuben sandwich?
Answer: The classic Reuben sandwich includes corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing sandwiched between two slices of rye bread.
How do I make sure my Reuben sandwiches turn out perfectly every time?
Answer: Start by using high-quality ingredients and take your time when preparing the sandwich. For the best results, be sure to use fresh-sliced corned beef and be generous with the Thousand Island dressing.
Is there a way to keep the sandwiches warm while I’m serving them to friends?
Answer: Yes! To keep the sandwiches warm until you serve them, preheat your oven to 350°F and wrap each sandwich in foil before putting it on a baking sheet in the oven for about 10 minutes or until everything is hot and melted together.
Is there an easy way to transport Reuben sandwiches for picnics or barbecues?
Answer: Yes! Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap or wax paper, then store them in an airtight container or cooler until you’re ready to eat them.
Should I cook the fillings separately before assembling my Reuben sandwiches?
Answer: No, you don’t need to cook any of the fillings separately – just assemble them into one big stack between two slices of rye bread and enjoy! The heat from cooking will help melt everything together nicely without having to do any extra work beforehand.
Does it matter whether I use dark or light rye bread for my Reuben sandwiches?
Answer: It really depends on personal preference – some people prefer dark rye while others like light rye better. Experiment with both types of bread until you find which one you like best!
Can vegetarian versions of a Reuben sandwich be made?
Answer: Absolutely! Just swap out the corned beef for something like grilled tempeh or eggplant slices and leave out any other non-vegetarian toppings like sauerkraut if desired – otherwise add whatever veggies and condiments that sound good to you!
Does making a Reuben require any special kitchen tools or gadgets?
Answer: Generally speaking there’s no need for anything too fancy – all you need is a skillet (or griddle) to cook up your ingredients on, plus plates or trays for assembly and serving afterwards. You could also invest in a panini press if desired, but that isn’t necessary either!
What kind of sides go well with Reubens?
Answer: Some great side dishes that complement a hearty Reuben include coleslaw, potato salad, french fries or tater tot casserole – feel free to get creative with what goes best with your favorite version of this classic sandwich combo!
Can I make mini versions of a traditional Reuben sandwich as finger food appetizers?
Answer: Absolutely – just cut down your standard size rye bread slices into smaller pieces (2 inch squares should work well), then layer on your ingredients accordingly before baking in the oven at 375°F for about 15 minutes until everything is hot & melty! Serve immediately & enjoy!
Are there any regional variations on how people typically make their own version of this classic American dish?
Answer: Yes – depending on which part of America you’re in (and even what part of Europe!) different recipes can vary wildly when it comes to how they prepare their own version of the iconic Reuben sandwich – so always feel free experiment & add new flavor combinations & toppings that appeal most to your own tastes & dietary preferences!
What condiments pair best with a homemade Reuben sandwich?
Answer: A few favorite condiment accompaniments often found within popular versions include yellow mustard along with mayonnaise or ketchup based sauces such as Russian dressing, thousand island dressing etc… Feel free though to tweak your own recipe however desired though as long as it still tastes delicious afterwards . . . !
What type of beer pairs well with a traditional reuben ?
Answer: A lot depends upon personal preference but generally speaking most types medium bodied ales such as Pale Ale’s , Hefeweizens , India Pale Ales , Amber Ales etc… go best since they offer enough flavor complexity without overpowering the flavors within this classic American dish itself .
Do I need melted cheese on my reubens?
Answer : Not necessarily , although many people consider cheese one integral component towards achieving authentic tasting results . If so desired though feel free to forego cheese entirely from recipes when experimenting within home kitchens … yet again
